Knowledge object registration

Abstract

A system (10) for registering a knowledge object (22) includes a server (12) and a client (14). The server (12) receives a request (38) from the client (14) to register the knowledge object (22). In response, the server (12) stores a trust stamp (46) and an envelope (50), and delivers a pointer (56) to the client (14).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for registering a knowledge object, comprising: a first memory operable to store a trust stamp specifying one of a plurality of levels of confidence in the object;   a second memory operable to store an envelope specifying a location of the object; and   a construct module coupled to the first memory and the second memory, the construct module operable to generate a pointer to be delivered to the location of the object, the pointer comprising a first address specifying the trust stamp and a second address specifying the envelope.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communication module operable to communicate, to the location of the object, the pointer and a self-executing program operable to insert the pointer into the object. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a receive module operable to receive a request from a client to register the object, the request comprising a first portion generated at the client, the receive module further operable to specify a second portion identifying the client. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the levels of confidence in the object comprise: a first level corresponding to a first color; and   a second level corresponding to a second color.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first address comprises an image source code operable to cause display of an image associated with one of the levels of confidence in the object. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first address comprises an image source code operable to cause display of an image associated with one of the levels of confidence in the object; and   the second address comprises a link operable to cause display of the envelope in response to selection of the image.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a maintain module operable to receive information from a third memory specifying a change in information on an owner of the object, the maintain module operable to generate a confirmation message for delivery to the owner. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a maintain module operable to generate a confirmation message for delivery to an owner of the object upon expiration of a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       9. A method performed on a computer for registering a knowledge object, the method comprising: storing a trust stamp specifying one of a plurality of levels of confidence in the object;   storing an envelope specifying a location of the object; and   generating a pointer to be delivered to the location of the object, the pointer comprising a first address specifying the trust stamp and a second address specifying the envelope.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of communicating, to the location of the object, the pointer and a self-executing program operable to insert the pointer into the object. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving a request from a client to register the object, the request comprising a first portion generated at the client; and   specifying a second portion identifying the client.   
     
     
       12. The method of claim 9, wherein the levels of confidence in the object comprise: a first level corresponding to a first color; and   a second level corresponding to a second color.   
     
     
       13. The method of claim 9, wherein the first address comprises an image source code operable to cause display of an image associated with one of the levels of confidence in the object. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 9, wherein: the first address comprises an image source code operable to cause display of an image associated with one of the levels of confidence in the object; and   the second address comprises a link operable to cause display of the envelope in response to selection of the image.   
     
     
       15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving information from a third memory specifying a change in information on an owner of the object; and   generating a confirmation message for delivery to the owner.   
     
     
       16. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of generating a confirmation message for delivery to an owner of the object upon expiration of a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       17. A method performed on a computer for registering a knowledge object, comprising: storing a trust stamp as an image source code that specifies one of a plurality of levels of confidence in the object;   storing an envelope specifying a URL address and an owner of the object; and   generating a pointer to be delivered to the location of the object, the pointer comprising the image source code operable to cause display of an image associated with one of the levels of confidence in the object, the pointer further comprising the URL address operable to cause display of the envelope in response to selection of the image.   
     
     
       18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of communicating, to the location of the object, the pointer and a self-executing program operable to insert the pointer into the object. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pointer and the self-executing program comprise a JAVA applet. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 17, wherein the levels of confidence in the object comprise: a gold level;   a silver level associated with a knowledge caveat; and   a registered level.